Articles of Apparel Utilizing Targeted Venting or Heat Retention Zones That May Be Defined Based on Thermal Profiles

ABSTRACT

Garments may include targeted vent or heat retention zones including openings or heat insulation areas in the fabric of various different sizes. The locations and sizes of these openings or heat insulation areas, at least in part, may be determined based on a thermal profile of a body from which the garment is designed. For example, openings or heat insulation areas of a larger size may be provided in the garment at locations where the body typically releases a large amount of heat, and openings or heat insulation areas of smaller sizes may be provided at other locations, e.g., where the body releases less heat. Several thermal profiles may be collected and used to develop a collection of opening patterns, e.g., corresponding to specific body characteristics, body types, and/or ultimate end uses for the garment. Custom patterns may be determined and used in garments specially designed for individual users.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/091,847, filed Apr. 6, 2016, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/059,357, filed Feb. 17, 2005 in the name ofEdward Louis Harber, which application is entirely incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to apparel includingheat retention or vented zones at targeted locations in the garmentstructure to provide enhanced or improved heating or cooling effects.The targeted locations may be defined based on thermal profiles.

BACKGROUND

One of the biggest challenges athletes face when competing or training,particularly in moderate to hot temperature conditions, is heat. Notonly must the athlete cope with heat from the external environment, buthe/she also must cope with heat generated within his/her own body as aresult of physical exertion.

Substantial heat may be generated in a person's body as a result ofphysical activity and exertion. In general, a body's core temperaturerises with increased physical activity. Less than 25% of the energycreated during physical activity typically is converted into work energy(e.g., energy used to move the body and/or resist an applied force). Theremaining 75%+of the energy typically must be dissipated as releasedheat. The human body's most effective mechanism for dealing with excessheat is through evaporative cooling. When a person's core bodytemperature rises to a certain level, the body will start to sweat. Whenthis liquid sweat evaporates, the physical conversion of the liquid toits corresponding gas form (i.e., the drying) draws heat from thenearest heat source. In the case of sweat, the nearest heat source isthe skin. In this manner, sweating cools a person due to the evaporativecooling action as the sweat dries.

The evaporation of sweat is dependent, at least to some extent, upon thewater vapor pressure (or relative humidity) of the air in contact withthe skin. Air movement also is an important factor. For example, ambientair gains humidity as it picks up moisture during the evaporation ofsweat. In the absence of adequate air movement (ventilation), thishumidified air can become trapped in areas immediately surrounding theskin, thus inhibiting the cooling provided by the continued evaporationof sweat.

Failure to properly release and move heat away from the body duringexercise or exertion, particularly in a warm environment, can cause adangerous rise in a person's body temperature, potentially resulting inadverse health consequences, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Toa person reaching his/her limit of heat tolerance, a reduction in corebody temperature of even a few tenths of a degree Fahrenheit may make asubstantial difference.

Various known garment features are available and used to assist athletesin coping with excess heat generated as a result of physical exertion.For example, mesh venting has been used in garments to help dissipateheat. In sports apparel, it is common to see underarm vents provided byvery small or closed-hole meshes or by small eyelets provided throughthe fabric. While helpful, such meshes or vents typically are too smallor too impermeable to provide adequate cooling effects. Additionally,such vents typically are not large enough and/or located at targetedpositions so as to provide improved cooling action.

Adequate cooling is not the only body temperature control issue thatathletes and others face. The human body also may suffer adverse affectswhen exposed to cool or cold environmental conditions, particularly whenexposed to such conditions for lengthy time periods. While people cansimply add another layer of clothing to help stave off the adverseeffects of a cold environment in some situations, the addition ofclothing layers can adversely impact the wearer's ability to move,particularly when engaged in exercise, athletic events, or otheractivities requiring movement. The adverse impact on performance andcomfort may deter some users from adequately dressing to protectthemselves from the cold.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide apparel with targetedheat retention or cooling zones to improve the body's heating or coolingeffectiveness, and in many instances, to optimize and/or maximize theheating or cooling effectiveness of the body. Such targeted heatretention or venting, in at least some instances, also may improve anathlete's comfort and/or performance during the physical activity.

SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of at least some aspects of theinvention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention.It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the inventionor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merelypresents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a preludeto the more detailed description provided below.

Some aspects of the present invention relate to garments that includetargeted venting zones that assist in efficiently and effectivelycooling the wearer. Such garments may include, for example: a firstfabric panel; and a pattern of openings defined in the first fabricpanel, wherein the pattern is defined based on a thermal profile of abody, wherein the thermal profile distinguishes between areas of thebody having different thermal characteristics. In at least some examplesof the invention, the thermal profile will define at least a first areaof the body having a first thermal characteristic and a second area ofthe body having a second thermal characteristic, and the pattern ofopenings will define locations for plural openings of a first sizecorresponding to the first area and locations for plural openings of asecond size corresponding to the second area. If desired, additionalopenings of additional sizes also may be provided corresponding to otherareas of the body, e.g., based on the thermal profile, without departingfrom the invention.

Additional example aspects of the present invention relate to garmentsthat include: (a) a garment structure for at least a portion of an uppertorso, wherein the garment structure includes at least a first fabricpanel; and (b) a pattern of openings defined in the garment structure.The pattern of openings may include, for example: (i) plural openings ofa first size or larger provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to at least a portion of a wearer's spine, and (ii) pluralopenings smaller than the first size provided in a portion of thegarment structure corresponding to a first area of the wearer's backlaterally located on a first side of the wearer's back from the wearer'sspine. Optionally, in at least some examples, additional plural openingsof the first size or larger may be provided in a portion of the garmentstructure corresponding to a second area of the wearer's back laterallylocated from the wearer's spine and proximate to the wearer's neck. Ifdesired, the patterns of openings (e.g., like those described above) maybe designed so that various sets of openings are provided on each sideof the wearer's spine.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for developingopening patterns and/or collections of opening patterns for use inproducing garments with zoned venting. Such methods may include, forexample: (a) determining a thermal profile of a body, wherein thethermal profile defines at least a first area of the body having a firstthermal characteristic and a second area of the body having a secondthermal characteristic; and (b) developing or defining an openingpattern based on the thermal profile, wherein the opening patterndefines locations for plural openings of a first size in a garmentstructure at locations corresponding to the first area and locations forplural openings of a second size in the garment structure at locationscorresponding to the second area. Optionally, additional openings ofstill other sizes also may be defined in the pattern, e.g., based onareas of the body having still different thermal characteristics. Ofcourse, all of the openings may be made in any desired shape, includingin a variety of different shapes, without departing from the invention.

This invention also relates to garments that include targeted zones tohelp insulate or retain heat with the wearer's body (e.g., for use incool or cold conditions). Such garments may include, for example: afirst fabric panel, and a pattern of plural discrete areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability defined in or on the firstfabric panel. This pattern may be defined based on a thermal profile ofa body, as described above. The pattern of areas of increased insulationor heat retention capability may define locations for at least first andsecond areas of increased insulation or heat retention capability in agarment structure corresponding to first and second areas of the thermalprofile with different thermal characteristics, respectively.

Methods for forming garments having targeted areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability according to aspects of thisinvention may include, for example: (a) determining a thermal profile ofa body, wherein the thermal profile distinguishes between areas of thebody having different thermal characteristics, and wherein the thermalprofile defines at least first and second areas of the body having firstand second thermal characteristics, respectively; (b) forming fabricinto a garment structure; and (c) producing plural discrete areas ofincreased insulation or heat retention capability in the fabric based onthe thermal profile, wherein at least a first discrete area of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability is produced in a first portionof the fabric at a location corresponding to the first area, and whereinat least a second discrete area of increased insulation or heatretention capability is produced in a second portion of the fabric at alocation corresponding to the second area.

Still other aspects of the invention relate to methods for providingpatterns of areas of increased insulation or heat retention capabilitiesfor use in garment structures. Such methods may include, for example:(a) determining a thermal profile of a body, wherein the thermal profiledistinguishes between areas of the body having different thermalcharacteristics, and wherein the thermal profile defines at least firstand second areas of the body having first and second thermalcharacteristics, respectively; and (b) developing a pattern of pluraldiscrete areas of increased insulation or heat retention capabilitybased on the thermal profile, wherein the pattern defines locations forat least first and second discrete areas of increased insulation or heatretention capability in a garment structure corresponding to the firstand second areas of the body, respectively.

In other example aspects of this invention, a variety of thermalprofiles may be collected and/or used to develop a collection and/orcatalogue of opening patterns or patterns of increased insulation orheat retention capability, e.g., for different individuals; fordifferent body types or physical characteristics; for differentexercises, athletic events, activities, and/or other end uses; etc.Collections of patterns of this type may be used by individuals,manufacturers, retailers, or others to help customize opening patternsor patterns of increased insulation or heat retention capability to beprovided in specific garments.

At least some example methods according to the invention further mayinclude forming garment structures from fabrics that include or arelater modified to include plural openings, insulation zones, or heatretention zones defined therein or thereon, wherein the locations andsizes of the openings or zones are determined based on patterns likethose described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more readily apparent and more fully understood fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theappended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a thermal profile (e.g., an infraredbased image) of an individual that may be used in defining vent openingpatterns in accordance with aspects of this invention;

FIG. 2 generally illustrates various different opening structures forfabrics and is used in explaining various features and aspects of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a thermal profile (e.g., an infraredbased image) of an individual or overlaid with a garment opening patternderived from it in accordance with an example of this invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an upper torso garment in accordancewith the invention having a vent opening pattern based on a thermalprofile;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an upper torso garment in accordancewith the invention having a vent opening pattern based on a thermalprofile and additional side vent zones;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a leotard or track suit type garment inaccordance with the invention having vent opening patterns based on athermal profile and additional side vent zones;

FIG. 7 includes a flow diagram illustrating example steps in a procedurefor providing a garment with customized vent opening patterns inaccordance with one example of this invention;

FIG. 8 includes a flow diagram illustrating example steps in a procedurefor providing collections or catalogues of vent opening patterns inaccordance with one example of this invention;

FIG. 9 generally illustrates structures for providing areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability in a garment in accordance withexamples of this invention;

FIG. 10 includes a flow diagram illustrating example steps in aprocedure for providing a garment with customized areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability in accordance with one exampleof this invention; and

FIG. 11 includes a flow diagram illustrating example steps in aprocedure for providing collections or libraries of patterns of areas ofincreased insulation or heat retention capability in accordance with oneexample of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various specific examples of the invention are described in detail belowin conjunction with the attached drawings.

A. General Description of Aspects of the Invention

In general, aspects of this invention relate to garments having targetedvent zones or zones of increased insulation or heat retention capabilityat specific locations of the garment structure to improve cooling orheat retention efficiency and effectiveness and thereby, in at leastsome instances, increase the wearer's comfort level and/or improve hisor her performance.

Garments in accordance with at least some examples of this invention mayinclude: (a) a garment structure for at least a portion of an uppertorso, wherein the garment structure includes at least a first fabricpanel; and (b) a pattern of openings defined in the garment structure.The pattern of openings, in at least some example garments according tothis invention, may include: (i) plural openings of a first size orlarger provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding toat least a portion of a wearer's spine, and (ii) plural openings smallerthan the first size provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to a first area of the wearer's back laterally located ona first side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine. Optionally,the pattern of openings provided in at least some example garmentstructures in accordance with this invention further may include one ormore of the following: (iii) plural openings smaller than the first sizeprovided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a secondarea of the wearer's back laterally located on a second side of thewearer's back from the wearer's spine; (iv) plural openings of the firstsize or larger provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to a third area of the wearer's back laterally located onthe first side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine andproximate to the wearer's neck, and/or (v) plural openings of the firstsize or larger provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to a fourth area of the wearer's back laterally located onthe second side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine andproximate to the wearer's neck.

Garments for use in cool or cold conditions may be provided by replacingthe vent openings of the various sizes, shapes, and locations describedabove with additional insulating material or material with increase heatretaining capacity.

Of course, the sizes and shapes of the various openings may vary in agiven portion of the garment structure without departing from theinvention. For example, portions of the garment structure havingopenings smaller than the first size, may include openings of a secondsize or smaller, openings of a third size or smaller, etc., wherein theopenings of the third size are smaller than the second size, which aresmaller than the first size. Likewise, portions of the garment structurehaving openings of the first size or larger also may include otheropenings of any desired size(s). Moreover, not all of the openings in agiven portion of the garment structure need to correspond to the varioussize requirements set forth above. For example, portions of the garmentstructure designated as having openings smaller than the first size alsomay include at least some openings that are larger than the first size,in at least some examples of this invention. Likewise, portions of thegarment structure designated as having openings of the first size orlarger also may include at least some openings smaller than the firstsize, in at least some examples of this invention. Many variations inthe opening sizes and shapes in the various portions of the garmentstructure may be used without departing from the invention.

Garments having targeted venting zones in accordance with at least someadditional example aspects of this invention may include, for example: afirst fabric panel; and a pattern of openings defined in the firstfabric panel, wherein the pattern of openings is defined based on athermal profile of a body (e.g., infrared based imaging), wherein thethermal profile distinguishes between areas of the body having differentthermal characteristics. In at least some examples, the thermal profilewill define at least a first area of the body having a first thermalcharacteristic and a second area of the body having a second thermalcharacteristic, and the pattern of openings will define locations forplural openings of a first size corresponding to the first area andlocations for plural openings of a second size corresponding to thesecond area. If desired, additional openings of additional sizes alsomay be provided at locations corresponding to other areas of the bodythat have still different thermal characteristics, e.g., based on thethermal profile, without departing from the invention.

The “thermal characteristics” of a body may represent, at least in part,different heat release characteristics, such as quantifications(absolute or relative) of the amounts of heat released at the differentareas of the body, e.g., some areas of the body may release more heatthan other areas. By ascertaining the heat release characteristicsassociated with a body (e.g., using infrared imaging), openings ofdifferent sizes may be arranged in a pattern in the garment structuresuch that larger sized openings are provided at areas of the body thatrelease the most heat and smaller sized openings are provided at areasof the body that release less heat. In this manner, the garmentstructure provides openings arranged to better help cool the athlete'sbody.

If desired, in at least some examples of the invention, the thermalprofile for the body may be measured or determined during or after(e.g., immediately after) the body is engaged in a particular type ofexercise, event, or activity. In this manner, the pattern of openingsmay be better customized to a particular user's body and/or to aparticular type of exercise, event, or activity. For example, thethermal profile of a body may depend, at least in part, on at least onephysical characteristic associated with the body, such as body size(e.g., small, medium, large, extra large, etc.), body weight, physicalbuild type (e.g., slender, average, stocky, heavy, etc.), body height,body age, etc. As another example, the thermal profile of an individualbody or body type may differ depending on the type of activity in whichthe user is involved, e.g., whether the user is involved in sprinting,running, jogging, walking, rowing, crew, weight lifting, various teamsports, etc. As still another example, the thermal profile of anindividual body or body type may differ depending on the environment inwhich the activity takes place, e.g., indoors, outdoors, ambienttemperature, ambient humidity, wind speed, wind direction, etc. Ifdesired, the pattern of openings may be specifically derived from thethermal profile generated by the ultimate garment user's body whileengaged in the specific type of exercise, event, or activity (orimmediately after being engaged in the specific type of exercise, event,or activity) so that the garment openings can be specifically customdesigned for the user's body and/or the particular anticipated end useof the garment.

Targeted and zoned venting, like that described above, helps keep anathlete cooler by increasing air flow and/or heat release over varioustargeted regions of the body that typically release the most heat (e.g.,based on thermal profiles). The body releases a significant amount ofits excess heat in certain areas, and an open garment structure andincreased air flow in these areas, via targeted and zoned venting, helpspeed up the evaporation of sweat from the skin, and hence, help speedup the evaporative cooling process (as described above). Additionally,the open structure and improved air flow help move fresh and relativelycool air into the targeted areas and help move the heated air out.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for developingvent opening patterns and garments having targeted vent openingpatterns, e.g., like those described above. Such methods may include,for example: (a) determining a thermal profile of a body, wherein thethermal profile defines at least a first area of the body having a firstthermal characteristic and a second area of the body having a secondthermal characteristic (for example, the thermal characteristics mayrepresent, at least in part, amounts of heat released at different areasof the body); (b) forming fabric into a garment structure; and (c)producing plural openings in the fabric based on the thermal profile,wherein plural openings of a first size are produced in a first portionof the fabric at one or more locations corresponding to the first area,and wherein plural openings of a second size are produced in a secondportion of the fabric at one or more locations corresponding to thesecond area. Of course, additional opening sizes for other areas of thebody (e.g., those areas with still different thermal characteristics)may be produced in the fabric based on the thermal profile withoutdeparting from this invention. These steps may take place in any orderwithout departing from the invention (e.g., the garment may be formedbefore or after the openings are produced and/or before or after thethermal profile is obtained; some openings may be formed before thegarment is produced and some may be formed after it is produced; etc.).

Additional method aspects of the invention include: (a) determining athermal profile of a body, wherein the thermal profile defines at leasta first area of the body having a first thermal characteristic and asecond area of the body having a second thermal characteristic; and (b)developing an opening pattern based on the thermal profile, wherein theopening pattern defines locations for plural openings of a first size ina garment structure at locations corresponding to the first area andlocations for plural openings of a second size at locationscorresponding to the second area. Optionally, additional openings ofstill other sizes also may be defined in the pattern, e.g., based onareas of the body having still different thermal characteristics asascertained from the thermal profile. At least some example methodsaccording to this aspect of the invention further may include formingthe garment structure with plural openings in the fabric based on theopening pattern.

Still additional example aspects of this invention relate to methods ofproducing collections, catalogs, or libraries of opening patterns. Suchcollections of patterns may be used by individuals or others to helpselect and customize an opening pattern to be provided on a specificgarment, e.g., to target the opening pattern to the specific bodycharacteristics, body type, and/or ultimate end use(s) or condition(s)to which the garment will be exposed. Such methods may include, forexample: (a) determining plural thermal profiles, wherein individualthermal profiles of the plural thermal profiles are determined,cataloged, and/or stored with data relating to at least one of differentrespective body types, different respective types of exercises,different respective types of events, or different respective types ofactivities; and (b) developing plural opening patterns for pluralgarment structures based on the plural thermal profiles such that anindividual opening pattern corresponds to a respective individualthermal profile. The plural opening patterns will, in effect, provide acollection, catalog, or library of different opening patterns correlatedby at least one of different body types, different types of exercises,different types of events, or different types of activities, etc. Datarelating to a specific garment user's body type and/or the ultimate enduse of the garment may be collected and matched to the data stored inthe collection or library of opening patterns to find the closest match.The garment then may be produced with plural openings of variousdifferent sizes in the pattern that most closely matches the user's bodytype, body characteristics, and/or the ultimate end use for the garment.Optionally, if desired, aspects of the opening pattern may be modifiedbefore the garment is formed, e.g., to extrapolate from and/orinterpolate between the stored patterns and thereby better match thefinal pattern to the user's body type or other characteristics (e.g., ifthe selected opening pattern is derived from someone 5′10″ but thespecific user is 5′8,″ the pattern may be modified somewhat tocorrespond to the garment user's actual height (e.g., to proportionallychange all opening sizes and/or separation distances along the pattern'sheight dimension)).

Thermal profiling, as described above, also may be used in substantiallythe same manner to produce garments that include targeted zones to helpbetter insulate the garment or retain heat with the wearer's body (e.g.,for use in cool or cold conditions). For example, rather than providingvent openings at areas of the body that release a large amount of heat,additional insulation material or other materials that help retain heatmay be provided at these targeted areas of the garment structure to helpkeep heat close to the wearer's body. Garments in accordance with atleast some examples of this aspect of the invention may include: a firstfabric panel, and a pattern of plural discrete areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability defined in the first fabricpanel. Again, this pattern may be defined or determined based on athermal profile of a body, wherein the thermal profile distinguishesbetween areas of the body having different thermal characteristics(e.g., the thermal profile may define at least a first area of the bodyhaving a first thermal characteristic and a second area of the bodyhaving a second thermal characteristic). The pattern of areas ofincreased insulation or heat retention capability may define a locationfor at least a first area of increased insulation or heat retentioncapability in a garment structure corresponding to the first area of thethermal profile and a location for at least a second area of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability in the garment structurecorresponding to the second area of the thermal profile.

Further aspects of the invention relate to methods for forming garmentshaving targeted areas of increased insulation or heat retentioncapability. Such methods may include, for example: (a) determining athermal profile of a body, wherein the thermal profile distinguishesbetween areas of the body having different thermal characteristics, andwherein the thermal profile defines at least a first area of the bodyhaving a first thermal characteristic and a second area of the bodyhaving a second thermal characteristic; (b) forming fabric into agarment structure; and (c) producing plural discrete areas of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability in the fabric based on thethermal profile wherein at least a first discrete area of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability is produced in a first portionof the fabric at a location corresponding to the first area, and whereinat least a second discrete area of increased insulation or heatretention capability is produced in a second portion of the fabric at alocation corresponding to the second area.

Other aspects of the invention relate to methods for providing patternsof areas of increased insulation or heat retention capabilities for usein garment structures. Such methods may include, for example: (a)determining a thermal profile of a body, wherein the thermal profiledistinguishes between areas of the body having different thermalcharacteristics, and wherein the thermal profile defines at least afirst area of the body having a first thermal characteristic and asecond area of the body having a second thermal characteristic; and (b)developing a pattern of plural discrete areas of increased insulation orheat retention capability based on the thermal profile, wherein thepattern defines locations for at least first and second discrete areasof increased insulation or heat retention capability in a garmentstructure corresponding to the first and second areas of the body,respectively. Aspects of the invention further relate to garmentsproduced including zones of increased insulation or heat retentioncapability based on the patterns.

Still other methods in accordance with examples of the invention involveproducing a collection or library of thermal profiles, e.g., indexed bydifferent body types, event types, exercise types, activity types, andthe like. Such methods may include, for example: (a) determining pluralthermal profiles, wherein individual thermal profiles of the pluralthermal profiles are indexed based on at least one of differentrespective body types, different respective types of exercises,different respective types of events, or different respective types ofactivities, and wherein the individual thermal profiles distinguishbetween areas of a respective body having different thermalcharacteristics; and (b) developing plural patterns of plural discreteareas of increased insulation or heat retention capability for garmentstructures based on the thermal profiles such that an individual patterncorresponds to a respective individual thermal profile. These pluralpatterns will provide a collection or library of different patterns ofplural discrete areas of increased insulation or heat retentioncapability indexed based on at least one of the different body types,the different types of exercises, the different types of athleticevents, or the different types of activities. Aspects of this inventionfurther relate to garments produced including zones of increasedinsulation or heat retention capability based on the patterns.

Of course, additional areas of the body having additional thermalcharacteristics, may be defined by the thermal profile in the variousgarments and methods described above, and the pattern of areas ofincreased insulation or heat retention capability may be adjusted toaccommodate these additional areas of the body. Also, if desired, in atleast some examples of the invention, the thermal profile may bedetermined during or after the body is engaged in a particular type ofexercise, event, or activity. Additionally, if desired, garmentstructure may be custom designed for an individual user by taking thethermal profile of the individual and using that profile to product thepattern of areas of increased insulation or heat retention capability.

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to garments, openingpatterns, collections of opening patterns, insulation or heat retainingmaterial patterns, and collections of insulation or heat retainingmaterial patterns produced by the various methods described above (andthose described in more detail below).

Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forthmerely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not beconstrued as limiting the invention.

B. Specific Examples of the Invention

The figures in this application illustrate various examples of appareland methods useful in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention. When the same reference number appears in more than onedrawing, that reference number is used consistently in thisspecification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts orelements throughout.

1. Targeted Cooling Zones

As described above, the human body releases heat, particularly when anindividual is involved in physical exercise, athletic events, or otheractivities. Release of excess heat is imperative, as it can help keepthe individual cool, improve performance, and/or prevent overheating andadverse health consequences that may arise due to overheating. Theamount of heat released by a body can be qualitatively andquantitatively measured or displayed, e.g., using infrared imaging,“night vision,” or other thermal profiling technology as in conventionaland known in the art.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example thermal profile 100 of a human body in theform of an infrared image of the body that qualitatively andquantitatively indicates the amount of heat being released at variouslocations by the body. As is conventional, thermal profiles of this typeuse different colors or gray scale gradations (or other gradations orsymbols) to at least partially quantify the amount of heat released bythe body (at the very least, in at least some systems, the color or grayscale gradations or the like will indicate relative differences in theamount of heat released by one area of the body as compared to otherareas of the body). In a typical color thermal profile of this type, thecolors may range from black to blue to aqua to green to light green toyellow to orange to red to white (coolest to hottest). In the grayscaleversion of the thermal profile 100 in FIG. 1, the reference numberscorrespond to various colors in the color thermal profile as follows:

Reference Number Color 102 Blue 104 Green 106 Yellow 108 Orange 110 Red112 White

While gray scaling, as shown in FIG. 1, may lose some of the finergradations between the various areas or zones with different thermalcharacteristics, the gray scaled image of FIG. 1 generally illustratesthe boundaries between areas that release more heat as compared to otherareas. Of course, any type of thermal profiling, thermal imaging,storage, display, and/or use of thermal profiling or imaging data may beused without departing from the invention.

Aspects and examples of this invention relate to garments that includetargeted vent openings to help better release the body's heat. FIG. 2helps explain aspects of the invention. As shown, a garment structure200 includes a fabric panel 202 with a plurality of vent openingsprovided in it. In this example garment structure 200, the largest ventopenings 204 generally are provided at locations in the garmentstructure 200 proximate to the areas of the body where the most heat isreleased (e.g., areas 112 and 110 in FIG. 1). Middle sized vent openings206 and 208 generally are provided at locations in the garment structure200 corresponding to areas of the body where a substantial amount ofheat is released, but not as much heat as other areas (e.g., areas 108and 106, respectively, in FIG. 1). The smallest openings 210 generallyare provided at locations in the garment structure 200 corresponding toareas of the body that release still less heat than those associatedwith the middle sized openings 206 and 208 (e.g., areas 104 and 102 inFIG. 1). If desired, in at least some examples of the invention, thesmallest openings in the garment structure 200 (e.g., openings 210 inFIG. 2) may constitute the conventional mesh openings provided in sometypes of fabrics for athletic clothing, e.g., materials conventionallyused for jerseys or the like. While the openings 204-210 are shown asround in FIG. 2, those skilled in the art will recognize, of course,that the openings may be of any desired shape, including mixtures of twoor more different shapes, without departing from the invention.

The arrows in FIG. 2 indicate air moving through the openings 204, 206,208, and 210. The larger the hole, the more air that moves through it(and the more heat released through it), which creates more effectiveand efficient evaporative cooling. By targeting the locations of thelarger holes to areas of the body that release more heat, evaporativecooling further improves at the areas of the body most in need ofcooling.

FIG. 3 illustrates the thermal profile 100 of FIG. 1 with a vent openingpattern 300 overlaid on it. The locations and sizes of the vent openingsin the vent opening pattern 300 were derived and determined, at least inpart, based on the thermal profile 100 and the amounts of heat releasedfrom the body at various locations. More particularly, as shown in FIG.3, the vent opening pattern 300 was designed such that the largestopenings 302 are provided proximate to the locations on the body wherethe most heat is released (e.g., generally corresponding to areas 110and 112 in FIG. 1). Smaller openings 304 are provided proximate tolocations of the body where a substantial amount of heat is releasedfrom the body, but not as much as areas 110 and 112 (e.g., proximatearea 108 in FIG. 1), and still smaller openings 306 are providedproximate to locations where still less heat is released (e.g.,proximate to area 106 in FIG. 1). While the example illustrated in FIG.3 shows no openings specifically targeted to the cooler areas of thebody (e.g., areas that release less heat, proximate to areas 102 and 104in FIG. 1), if desired, additional and generally smaller openings may beprovided in these areas without departing from the invention (indeed,any number of individual opening sizes and/or shapes may be provided andused in a garment structure without departing from the invention). Asanother example or alternative, if desired, the fabric located proximateto the cooler areas of the body (e.g., proximate to areas 102 and 104 inFIG. 1) may be a conventional type mesh fabric having very smallopenings and/or other conventional breathable fabric. Additionally, thefabric between the larger openings 302, 304, and 306 (and hence the basefabric for the overall garment structure) may be a mesh fabric, anotherbreathable fabric, and/or any other desired type of fabric, withoutdeparting from this invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, there is no need for exact one-to-one correspondencebetween the thermal characteristics of the body (as evidenced by thecolors of thermal profile 100) and the sizes and locations of allopenings in the opening pattern 300. Rather, the opening pattern 300,including the opening locations and sizes, are generally based on thethermal profile 100. Some variation in opening sizes and locations maybe possible without departing from the invention. For example, to ensurethat the garment has adequate material and strength to maintain itsstructural integrity, some portions of the garment located proximate toa relatively high heat release area of the body may have at least somesmaller openings (e.g., too many openings too close together may causethe garment to tear too easily). Also, the sizes and locations of someopenings may depend, at least in part, on thermal characteristicsassociated with closely adjacent areas and/or the thermal gradientsurrounding a given area (e.g., a small high heat release area adjacentto a large, less heat release area may not warrant a large number oflarge sized openings).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example garment 400 in accordance with one exampleof this invention for at least partially fitting an upper torso of awearer. The garment 400 includes a head or neck opening 402, two armopenings 404, and a waist opening 406, as is conventional and known inthe art. While the garment 400 is shown as a short-sleeved athleticjersey, any desired garment style may be used without departing from theinvention, including, for example: a longer sleeved jersey; a tank toptype jersey; a tight, body-fitting jersey or other garment, such as atrack suit, wrestling uniform, or leotard; and the like.

The garment 400 includes a vented zone that includes the vent openingpattern 300 generally derived from a thermal profile, such as thermalprofile 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Notably, in general, the openingpattern 300 and the various individual openings 302, 304, and 306 arelocated and sized such that when the garment 400 is worn, the largeropenings 302 generally will be located proximate to and adjacent areasof the body that release the most heat, the mid-sized openings 304generally will be located proximate to and adjacent areas of the bodythat release the mid-range amounts of heat, and the smaller openings 306generally will be located proximate to and adjacent areas of the bodythat release a lesser amount of heat. As noted above, however, ifdesired, additional openings of additional different sizes and/or atadditional locations may be provided in the garment structure 400without departing from this invention.

In general, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening pattern 300 generallyextends along a center back portion of the garment structure 400 (i.e.,along the garment wearer's spine). The opening pattern 300 generally maybe of any suitable or desired size, shape, arrangement, or dimensionswithout departing from the invention, for example, depending on the bodycharacteristics or body type of the garment user, the ultimate end useof the garment, the expected level of exertion produced when using thegarment, the thermal profile 100, the typical or expected ambientconditions, and the like. As one example or another alternative, ifdesired, an opening pattern of some type may be provided on the frontand/or side portions of the garment structure 400 without departing fromthis invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example garment structure 500. In thisillustrated example, the garment structure 500 includes both a back,center vent opening pattern 300, e.g., like that derived from thethermal profile 100 described above, and two side vented zones 502 and504. The side vented zones 502 and 504 may be made from a mesh materialor other material having openings, including openings derived from athermal profile of a body like those provided in the opening pattern 300described above. While the illustrated example garment structure 500shows the side vented zones 502 and 504 extending all the way or closelyproximate to the waist opening 406, these vented zones 502 and 504 (aswell as the vent opening pattern 300) can take on any suitable ordesired dimensions, size, arrangement, and shape without departing fromthe invention. As some more specific examples, one or more of the sidevented zones 502 and 504 could end generally in a waist area of thegarment structure 500 (rather than at or proximate to the waist opening406), one or both of the side vented zones 502 and 504 could extend allthe way to the arm openings 404, or the like.

Zoned venting, like that described above in conjunction with FIG. 5, mayfurther help keep an athlete cooler by increasing air flow over varioustargeted regions of the body (e.g., air may enter from the two sides andmove under the garment to the center back area). As noted from thethermal profile 100, the body releases a significant amount of itsexcess heat at a person's center back area, and increased air flow inthis region from the sides to the center back area, via zoned venting,helps speed up the evaporation of sweat from the skin, and hence, helpsspeed up the evaporative cooling process (as described above).Additionally, this improved air flow path (from the sides to the centerback) helps move fresh, relatively cool, and relatively un-humidifiedair into the targeted regions and helps move the heated and relativelyhumidified air out. Vented zones at the athlete's sides, like ventedzones 502 and 504, also help improve air intake and air flow asdescribed above when the body is moving forward and/or laterally and/orduring other movement that typically occurs during exercise and/orathletic events.

Aspects of this invention are not limited to use with jerseys, tanktops, and other garments that cover only the wearer's upper torso. FIG.6 illustrates another example garment structure 600 in which aspects ofthe invention may be used. In FIG. 6, the garment 600 is a leotard ortrack suit type garment that at least partially covers both the wearer'supper torso and lower torso. As illustrated, this example garmentstructure 600 includes a neck or head opening 402, two arm openings 404,and two leg openings 602. Conventional openings and/or fasteningmechanisms at the front and/or back of the garment structure 600 (notshown) may be provided to allow user entry into the garment structure600. In this example, the garment structure 600 includes a center backvent opening pattern 300 like that derived above in connection with thethermal profile 100 of FIGS. 1 and 3. If necessary or desired, e.g.,based on a thermal profile, additional vent openings may be provided inthe garment structure 600 and/or additional vent opening patterns may bederived for other areas of the garment structure 600, such as theopening patterns 604 shown in FIG. 6.

The garment structure 600 of FIG. 6 further includes two side ventedzones 606, e.g., made of a mesh material, made with openings like thosein opening patterns 300 and 604, or made with any other desired mesh,opening, or breathable fabric arrangement. Of course, any suitable ordesired size, shape, arrangement, and dimensions may be used for thevarious vented zones and/or vent opening patterns 300, 604, and 606without departing from the invention, including various sizes, shapes,arrangements, and dimensions derived from thermal profiles as describedabove. The various vented zones in a garment structure (e.g., the centerback vented zone 300 and/or one or more the side vented zones 606) alsomay be continuous or discontinuous, for example, over their width and/orlength and/or other dimensions, without departing from the invention.

The openings, vented zones, and/or mesh openings may be provided ingarment structures in any desired manner without departing from theinvention, including in conventional manners known in the art. Ifdesired, for example, the entire garment may be made from a single typeof material (and even from a single piece of material) in at least someexamples of the invention, but the fabric material provided in thevented zones of the garment may be processed or otherwise altered toinclude the openings. Such processing may include, for example: lasertreatments (to perforate the material and/or provide the openings ormesh structures); calendaring, rolling, die cutting, and/or otherphysical treatments to perforate the material and/or provide theopenings and/or mesh structure; and the like. The openings also may beformed in the material as part of the garment or fabric productionprocess, such as during knitting, weaving, or the like. The processingor other activity to create the openings in the garment structure, ifany, may take place either before or after the actual garment structureis formed (e.g., before or after the garment is sewn together) and/or asan initial intermediate, and/or final step during a garment formationprocedure, and/or at any other time or in any other desired order,without departing from the invention.

In still other examples, garments in accordance with the invention maybe made such that different types of material (and/or different piecesof material) make up the various portions of the garment structure. Suchpieces of material may be sewn and/or otherwise joined together to forma garment structure in any suitable or desired manner without departingfrom the invention, including in conventional manners known in the art.Any desired number of different types of materials and/or materialshaving different openings and/or mesh patterns may be included ingarments without departing from the invention. Additionally, if desired,the materials used for creating the various regions including theopening patterns and/or the vented zones may be the same or differentwithin a single garment, and, if desired, the various different regionswith opening patterns and/or vented zones may have different airpermeability characteristics with respect to one another within a singlegarment.

Examples of suitable materials for use in producing garments inaccordance with aspects of the invention include any desired natural,synthetic, or blended materials or combinations thereof, in any desiredconfiguration, style, or combination. More specific examples of suitablematerials include: leathers, cotton materials, wool materials, silkmaterials, polyesters, vinyls, nylons, rubbers, spandex, polyestermicrofibers, polyester microfiber cotton blends, polyester microfibercotton spandex blends, and the like. Examples of suitable styles orconfigurations of garments in accordance with examples of the inventioninclude: T-shirts, jerseys, pants, or track suit type garments (likethose described above), of any desired size and/or style, optionallysleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, with removable sleeves, withremovable pant legs, etc.

In at least some examples of the invention, the garment product may beconstructed from high-performance sweat management materials (e.g., likethin, lightweight fabrics made from or containing polyester microfibers,polyester microfiber cotton blends, polyester microfiber cotton spandexblends, polyester spandex blends, and the like). In some more specificexamples, apparel in accordance with at least some example aspects ofthis invention may be made from or include a “Sphere Dry” polyester knitmaterial and/or a Dri-FIT polyester material, as included in variouscommercial products available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg. Thegarment material may be knitted, woven, and/or formed or constructed inany suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners knownin the art.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for derivingopening patterns for garments and/or for forming garments including suchopening patterns. FIG. 7 illustrates one example procedure in accordancewith aspects of the invention in which customizable opening patterns maybe generated. When this procedure starts (S700), a person for whom agarment is being designed and prepared first engages in physicalactivity (S702). Optionally, in at least some instances, the person willengage in the same physical activity, with the same general intensityand under the same general conditions, for which the garment is intendedto be used. During or after the activity, when the person's body hasheated up as a result of the exertion, a thermal profile (such as aninfrared image of the type illustrated in FIG. 1) will be taken of theperson's body (S704). The thermal profile may correspond to all or justsome portion of the user's body (e.g., the upper torso and/or any otherportion to be covered by the garment). From the thermal profile, apattern of openings may be derived for at least a portion of the garmentstructure (S706), such as the back and/or sides of the garment (e.g., asshown in FIG. 3), and this pattern may be stored or finalized in somemanner (e.g., produced as a hard copy, stored on computer, etc.). Thepattern may be created manually by visually looking at the thermalprofile and/or with the aid of a computer algorithm (e.g., wherein thealgorithm helps locate openings of various different sizes atappropriate locations based on the body's heat release as available fromthe thermal profile). Once the vent opening pattern is created at S706,one or more garments may be produced for the user, wherein the garmentsinclude vent openings, at least in a portion thereof, based on theopening pattern derived at S706 (S708).

Of course, many variations in this procedure are possible withoutdeparting from the invention. For example, there is no need for actualproduction of a hard or soft copy of the underlying thermal profile.Rather, if desired, a computer algorithm may be designed for use inconjunction with the thermal imaging system such that an opening patternor design is immediately created from the thermal profile information.In other words, there is no need for the system to actually visuallydisplay and/or store the thermal profile. As another example, there isno need for the system to actually store and/or physically create a hardor soft copy of the opening pattern. Rather, if desired, the patterncould be immediately embodied in the fabric for the garment withoutcreating or storing a lasting non-fabric pattern. As still anotherexample, the garment structure may be created with the desired openingpattern directly from a thermal profile without the need for creatingand/or storing the separate opening pattern.

The above example also indicates that the opening pattern and thegarment were produced from and customized for the actual person fromwhom the thermal profile was generated. While this is possible inaccordance with examples of the invention, this feature is not requiredin all examples of the invention. For example, if desired, thermalprofiles may be generated from the bodies of surrogates or models and/orthe opening patterns generated from the surrogates may be used forproducing garments for others, e.g., to produce garments for personswith body types similar to those of the surrogates. For example, usingthermal profiles from surrogates of different sizes, weights, heights,body types (e.g., slim, medium, stocky, or heavy builds), fitnesslevels, etc., sets of opening patterns may be derived for a variety ofpotential customers (e.g., customers of different sizes, weights,heights, and body types), and clothing products may be mass produced andspecifically targeted to this variety of customers. For example, amanufacturer may produce a line of clothing of various sizes in whichtags on or containers for the clothing indicate the body type to whichthe opening pattern on that piece of clothing is suited (e.g., a tag onthe garment may indicate that the garment size is extra large and thatthe vent opening pattern is designed for persons between 5′10″ and 5′11″and weighing 220-240 pounds, whereas a tag on another extra large sizedgarment may indicate that the vent opening pattern is designed forpersons between 6′4″ and 6′5″ and weighing 220-240 pounds). In thismanner, vent openings in clothing can be better targeted to users withdifferent body types without the need to take a thermal profile of andcustom fit each individual user.

As another example, if desired, a thermal profile from one person (e.g.,an actual user or surrogate) may be used, at least in some instances, togenerate opening patterns for users having different body types. Forexample, the thermal profile and/or the opening pattern generatedtherefrom for a person of medium build and a height of 5′10″ may bescaled (e.g., proportionally adjusted) for use to produce larger orsmaller garments for other persons of the same general medium build bodytype. Other types of scaling, interpolation, and/or extrapolation basedon known patterns and/or known thermal profiles may be possible withoutdeparting from this invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method for generating a collection ofopening patterns in accordance with another example aspect of thisinvention. As the procedure starts (S800), a first body for thermalprofiling is selected, for example, a surrogate or model from which oneor more opening patterns for various garments will be derived andgenerated. Data associated with this body, e.g, relating to the body'scharacteristics, are determined and stored (S802). Examples ofinformation that may be stored relating to the body include gender,height, weight, build characteristics, age, measurements (chest, size,inseam length, waist size, etc.), and the like.

To at least some extent, athletes and/or others engaged in physicalactivity or athletic events may release heat at somewhat differentregions of the body depending, at least in part, on the type of activityin which they are engaged and/or other characteristics associated withthe activity. For example, a person may release heat somewhatdifferently (e.g., in different regions of the body) when involved inrunning or jogging as compared to when they are involved in weightlifting, rowing, or other activities. Accordingly, the person's thermalprofile (and hence the most effective or optimum vent opening pattern)may change or differ somewhat, e.g., depending on the type of activityin which the person is involved. As another example, the environmentunder which the activity takes place may affect the person's thermalprofile when engaged in the activity. For example, the location (e.g.,indoors or outdoors), weather conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity,wind conditions, precipitation, etc.), and the like, all may affect thethermal profile generated by an individual during the activity.Accordingly, at S804, data is collected and stored relating to the typeof exercise or activity and/or the conditions under which the exerciseor activity took place. Any desired data of this type may be collected,stored, and/or correlated with a thermal profile without departing fromthis invention.

At S806, the thermal profile for the body is measured and stored,correlated to the previously determined body characteristics and/orexercise or activity characteristics. The body may be involved in aspecific exercise or activity before and/or during the time the thermalprofile is measured. Based on the thermal profile, a vent openingpattern (e.g., like those described above) may be developed (e.g.,manually, automatically using a computer algorithm, etc.) at S808. Atthis step, the desired vent opening pattern also may be stored andcorrelated with at least some of the previously determined bodycharacteristics and/or exercise or activity characteristics.

As a next step in the procedure (S810), a determination is made whetherthere is any desire to use this surrogate or model for additionalthermal profiling, for example, under different test conditions (e.g.,for different athletic events, different types of exercise, differentexercise or activity conditions, etc.). If “Yes,” the procedure returnsto S804 and data regarding the exercise or activity conditions is againstored and the procedure repeats. If “No” at S810, the procedure thendetermines whether there are additional surrogates or model bodies to beprofiled at this time (S812). If “Yes,” the new body for measurement isselected (S814), the procedure returns to S802, and data associated withthe new body's characteristics are determined and/or stored. Theprocedure then repeats. If no additional bodies are available forprofiling (answer “No” at S812), the collection of thermal profilesand/or opening patterns is complete (at least for the time being), andthe procedure moves on to a “garment forming stage.”

More specifically, in this example garment forming stage, a user seeksto obtain or purchase a new garment with vent openings better suited tohis/her particular body type and/or the desired exercise or activitytype. Accordingly, at S816, data relating to this user's bodycharacteristics and/or the desired exercise or activity characteristicsfor use of the garment is ascertained or collected. This may beaccomplished at any location and/or in any manner, for example, at aretail location, over the Internet, over the telephone, through amail-in catalogue process, etc. Based on this collected data, an openingpattern that best matches the user's body characteristics and/or theanticipated use characteristics may be located from the previouslystored opening patterns (S818). If no exact matches for the user's bodytype and/or the use characteristics are found, the data representing theclosest match or matches may be used. Alternatively, if desired, changesto the opening patterns may be derived by scaling, extrapolating, orinterpolating from known profiles, opening patterns, and/or data points(e.g., to change the overall length, width, spacing, sizes, etc., of thevent opening pattern). Once the final opening pattern is selected,determined, or otherwise derived, one or more garments may be producedwith vent openings included therein based on the selected or derivedopening pattern (S820).

2. Targeted Insulation or Heat Retaining Zones

Thermal profiles, e.g., of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, also may beused in aspects and examples of this invention in which the garmentsinclude targeted insulation or heat-retaining areas to help keep a bodywarm (e.g., for use in cool or cold conditions). FIG. 9 helps explainthese aspects of the invention. As shown, rather than providing ventopenings as described above, a garment structure 900 in accordance withthis example includes a fabric panel 902 with a plurality of additionalinsulation areas or heat-retaining material areas provided in or on it.In this example garment structure 900, the largest insulation orheat-retaining material areas 904 generally are provided at locations inthe garment structure 900 proximate to the areas of the body where themost heat is released (e.g., areas 112 and 110 in FIG. 1). Middle sizedinsulation or heat-retaining material areas 906 and 908 generally areprovided at locations in the garment structure 900 corresponding toareas of the body where a substantial amount of heat is released, butnot as much heat as other areas (e.g., areas 108 and 106, respectively,in FIG. 1). The smallest insulation or heat-retaining material areas 910generally are provided at locations in the garment structure 900corresponding to areas of the body that release still less heat thanthose associated with the middle sized openings 906 and 908 (e.g., areas104 and 102 in FIG. 1). In this manner, the additional insulation orheat-retaining materials are provided at locations that help keep theheat inside the garment and near the wearer's body. While the insulationor heat-retaining material areas 904-910 are shown as round in FIG. 9,those skilled in the art will recognize, of course, that these areas maybe of any desired shape, including mixtures of two or more differentshapes, without departing from the invention. If desired, the insulationor heat-retaining material areas may be irregularly shaped (e.g., basedon the thermal profile) without departing from the invention.

If desired, a garment structure that includes patterns of targetedinsulation or heat-retaining material areas as described above, based ona thermal profile, may appear similar to the structures shown in FIGS.3-7, wherein the vent openings are replaced with areas containingadditional insulation or heat-retaining material. If desired, the basefabric for the garment simply may include another layer of material atlocations corresponding to the areas having additional insulation orheat-retaining material. Alternatively, if desired, the base fabric forthe garment may be modified or treated so as to increase the insulativeor heat-retaining properties of some portions of the garment withrespect to other portions thereof (e.g., chemical treatment, lasertreatment, heat treatment, or the like). If desired, as anotheralternative, different materials may be used at the areas havingadditional insulation or heat-retaining characteristics (as compared tothe remainder of the material making up the garment structure). Oneadvantage of providing additional insulation or heat-retaining materialsat various individual discrete portions of the garment structure, e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 3-7, may relate to the fact that the garment does notbecome excessively bulky or weighty. This feature can improve userperformance, e.g., when the garment is used in exercise, athleticevents, or other similar competitive activities.

Any type of fabric may be used for the garment structure and theadditional insulation or heat-retaining material areas without departingfrom this invention, e.g., depending on the anticipated conditions ofuse, the typical physical exertion involved during use of the garment,etc. In some examples, conventional fabrics may be used as are known inthe art. As noted above, if desired, the insulation or heat-retainingmaterial areas (e.g., areas 904-910 in FIG. 9) may be provided by addingan additional layer of material over the base layer of material in thefabric (e.g., the same material, a material having improved insulationcharacteristics as compared to the base fabric material, a materialhaving heat-reflecting or other heat-retaining characteristics, etc.).When provided as an additional layer, the additional layer of materialmay be provided on the inside of the garment structure and/or on theoutside of the garment structure without departing from the invention.In still other examples, the insulation or heat-retaining material areasmay be integrally formed as part of the base fabric material structure.If desired, the larger insulation or heat-retaining material areas maybe made from materials that provide increased insulation orheat-retaining characteristics as compared to the materials making upthe smaller insulation or heat-retaining material areas (e.g., thevarious insulative areas (small to large) may be made of progressivelythicker layers of insulative material, if desired). In effect, theinsulation or heat-retaining material areas will provide areas in thegarment structure that have increased insulation and/or heat-retainingcharacteristics as compared to the characteristics of the base materialmaking up the fabric.

If desired, in at least some examples of the invention, the “insulation”or “heat-retaining material” may be a material that actively appliesheat to the wearer's body. In some examples, this insulation orheat-retaining material may include electrical resistive material thatactively heats up (e.g., battery operated) or other material thatactively heats up and/or reflects heat energy back to the wearer's body.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for derivingpatterns of materials having increased insulation or heat-retainingcapabilities for garments and/or for forming garments including suchpatterns. FIG. 10 includes a flow chart illustrating one exampleprocedure in accordance with aspects of the invention in whichcustomizable patterns of increased insulation or heat-retainingcapabilities may be generated. When this procedure starts (S1000), aperson for whom a garment is being designed and prepared first engagesin an activity (S1002). Optionally, in at least some instances, theperson will engage in the same physical activity, with the same generalintensity and under the same general conditions, for which the garmentis intended to be used. During or after the activity, a thermal profile(such as an infrared image of the type illustrated in FIG. 1) will betaken of the person's body (S1004). The thermal profile may correspondto all or just some portion of the user's body (e.g., the upper torsoand/or any other portion to be covered by the garment), and it indicatesin at least some absolute, relative, and/or quantitative manner theareas of the body where heat is being released. From the thermalprofile, a pattern of areas having increased insulation orheat-retaining capability for a garment structure may be derived(S1006). Such pattern may indicate that areas of increased insulation orheat-retaining capability should be provided at the back and/or sides ofthe garment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), and this pattern may be storedor finalized in some manner (e.g., produced as a hard copy, stored oncomputer, etc.). In at least some examples, the pattern may be createdmanually by visually looking at the thermal profile, and/or it may becreated with the aid of a computer algorithm (e.g., wherein thealgorithm helps locate areas of increased insulation or heat-retainingcapability of various different sizes at appropriate locations based onthe body's heat release as available from the thermal profile). Once thepattern is created at S1006, one or more garments may be produced forthe user, wherein the garments include areas of increased insulation orheat-retaining capability, at least in a portion thereof, based on thederived pattern (S1008).

Of course, many variations in this procedure are possible withoutdeparting from the invention. For example, there is no need for actualproduction of a hard or soft copy of the underlying thermal profile.Rather, if desired, a computer algorithm may be designed for use inconjunction with the thermal imaging system such that an insulation orheat-retaining material pattern or design is immediately created fromthe thermal profile information. In other words, there is no need forthe system to actually visually display and/or store the thermalprofile. As another example, there is no need for the system to actuallystore and/or physically create a hard or soft copy of the pattern.Rather, if desired, the pattern could be immediately embodied in fabricfor a garment without creating or storing a lasting non-fabric pattern.As still another example, the garment structure may be created with thedesired pattern directly from a thermal profile without the need forcreating and/or storing the separate pattern.

The above example also indicates that the pattern and the garment wereproduced from and customized for the actual person from whom the thermalprofile was generated. While this is possible in accordance withexamples of the invention, this feature is not required in all examplesof the invention. For example, if desired, thermal profiles may begenerated from the bodies of surrogates or models and/or the patternsgenerated from surrogates or models may be used for producing garmentsfor others, e.g., to produce garments for persons with body typessimilar to those of the surrogates or models. For example, using thermalprofiles from surrogates or models of different sizes, weights, heights,body types (e.g., slim, medium, stocky, or heavy builds), fitnesslevels, etc., sets of insulation or heat-retaining material patterns maybe derived for a variety of potential customers (e.g., customers ofdifferent sizes, weights, heights, and body types), and clothingproducts may be mass produced and specifically targeted to this varietyof customers. For example, a manufacturer may produce a line of clothingof various sizes in which tags on or containers for the clothingindicate the body type to which the pattern on that piece of clothing issuited (e.g., a tag on the garment may indicate that the garment size isextra large and that the insulation pattern is designed for personsbetween 5′10″ and 5′11″ and weighing 220-240 pounds, whereas a tag onanother extra large sized garment may indicate that the insulationpattern is designed for persons between 6′4″ and 6′5″ and weighing220-240 pounds). In this manner, the insulation patterns in clothing canbe better targeted to users with different body types without the needto take a thermal profile of and custom fit each individual user.

As another example, if desired, a thermal profile from one person (e.g.,an actual user or surrogate) may be used, at least in some instances, togenerate insulation or heat-retaining material patterns for users havingdifferent body types. For example, the thermal profile and/or theinsulation or heat-retaining material pattern generated therefrom for aperson of medium build and a height of 5′10″ may be scaled (e.g.,proportionally adjusted) for use to produce larger or smaller garmentsfor other persons of the same general medium build body type. Othertypes of scaling, interpolation, and/or extrapolation based on knownpatterns and/or known thermal profiles may be possible without departingfrom this invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram describing an example method forgenerating a collection of insulation or heat-retaining materialpatterns in accordance with another example aspect of this invention. Asthe procedure starts (S1100), a first body for thermal profiling isselected, for example, a surrogate or model from whom one or moreinsulation or heat-retaining material patterns for various garments willbe derived and generated. Data associated with this body, e.g., relatingto the body's characteristics, are determined and stored (S1102).Examples of information that may be stored relating to the body includegender, height, weight, build characteristics, age, measurements (chest,size, inseam length, waist size, etc.), and the like.

As described above in conjunction with FIG. 8, to at least some extent,athletes and/or others engaged in physical activity or athletic eventsmay release heat at somewhat different regions of the body depending, atleast in part, on the type of activity in which they are engaged and/orother characteristics associated with the activity. For example, aperson may release heat somewhat differently (e.g., in different regionsof the body) when involved in running or jogging as compared to whenthey are involved in weight lifting, rowing, or other activities.Accordingly, the person's thermal profile (and hence the most effectiveor optimum locations for providing additional insulation orheat-retaining materials in a garment structure) may change or differsomewhat, e.g., depending on the type of activity in which the person isinvolved. As another example, the environment in which the activitytakes place may affect the person's thermal profile when engaged in theactivity. For example, the location (e.g., indoors or outdoors), weatherconditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind conditions, precipitation,etc.), and the like, all may affect the thermal profile generated by anindividual during the activity. Accordingly, at S1104, data is collectedand stored relating to the type of exercise, activity, and/or theconditions under which the exercise or activity took place. Any desireddata of this type may be collected, stored, and/or correlated with athermal profile without departing from this invention.

At S1106, the thermal profile for the body is measured and stored,correlated to the previously determined body characteristics and/orexercise or activity characteristics. The body may be involved in aspecific exercise or activity before and/or during the time the thermalprofile is measured. Based on the thermal profile, an insulation orheat-retaining material pattern (e.g, like those described above) may bedeveloped (e.g., manually, automatically using a computer algorithm,etc.) at S1108. At this step, the desired pattern also may be stored andcorrelated with at least some of the previously determined bodycharacteristics and/or exercise or activity characteristics.

As a next step in the procedure (S1110), a determination is made whetherthere is any desire to use this surrogate or model for additionalthermal profiling, for example, under different test conditions (e.g.,for different athletic events, different types of exercise, differentexercise or activity conditions, etc.). If “Yes,” the procedure returnsto S1104 and data regarding the exercise or activity conditions is againstored and the procedure repeats. If “No” at S1110, the procedure thendetermines whether there are additional surrogates or model bodies to beprofiled at this time (S1112). If “Yes,” the new body for measurement isselected (S1114), the procedure returns to S1102, and data associatedwith the new body's characteristics are determined and/or stored. Theprocedure then repeats. If no additional bodies are available forprofiling (answer “No” at S1112), the collection of thermal profilesand/or insulation or heat-retaining material patterns is complete (atleast for the time being), and the procedure moves on to a “garmentforming stage.”

More specifically, in this example garment forming stage, a user seeksto obtain or purchase a new garment with insulation or heat-retainingmaterial patterns better suited to his/her particular body type and/orthe desired exercise or activity type or conditions. Accordingly, atS1116, data relating to this user's body characteristics and/or thedesired exercise or activity characteristics for use of the garment isascertained or collected. This may be accomplished at any locationand/or in any manner, for example, at a retail location, over theInternet, over the telephone, through a mail-in catalogue process, etc.Based on this collected data, an insulation or heat-retaining materialpattern for a garment structure that best matches the user's bodycharacteristics and/or the anticipated use characteristics may belocated from the previously stored patterns (S1118). If no exact matchesfor the user's body type and/or the use characteristics are found, thedata representing the closest match or matches may be used.Alternatively, if desired, changes to the patterns may be derived byscaling, extrapolating, or interpolating from known profiles, patterns,and/or data points (e.g., to change the overall length, width, spacing,sizes, shapes, etc., of the material in the pattern). Once the finalpattern is selected, determined, or otherwise derived, one or moregarments may be produced with additional insulation or heat-retainingmaterial provided based on the selected or derived pattern (S1120).

C. Conclusion

Of course, the above disclosure provides just examples of garmentstructures, opening patterns, insulation or heat-retaining areapatterns, and/or methods that may be used in accordance with thisinvention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thesedescriptions merely constitute examples of this invention. The skilledartisan further will appreciate that various different garmentconstructions, structures, and materials may be used, and the processsteps, process conditions, stored information, and the like may varywidely without departing from the invention. For example, specificprocess steps described above may be omitted, changed, changed in order,and the like, and additional steps may be added, etc., without departingfrom the invention. Also, additional steps may be included between thevarious process steps described above, and/or long time periods mayelapse between the various described steps without departing fromaspects of this invention.

Various examples of the present invention have been described above, andit will be understood by those of ordinary skill that the presentinvention includes within its scope all combinations and subcombinationsof these examples. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the above examples simply exemplify the invention. Various changesand modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

1. A garment including at least a torso region, the garment comprising:a first fabric panel including a pattern of openings, the pattern ofopenings defined based on a thermal profile of a body, the thermalprofile defining at least a first area of the body having a firstthermal characteristic and a second area of the body having a secondthermal characteristic; and wherein the pattern of openings in the firstarea includes a first plurality of openings having a first sizecorresponding to the first thermal characteristic and a second pluralityof openings having a second size corresponding to the second thermalcharacteristic, the first plurality of openings and the second pluralityof openings interspersed throughout the first fabric panel such that thefirst and second plurality of openings at least partially overlap oneanother.
 2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the thermal profileis determined during or after the body is engaged in a particular typeof activity.
 3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond thermal characteristics correspond to amounts of heat released atthe first and second areas of the body.
 4. A garment according to claim3, wherein the first area of the body releases more heat than the secondarea of the body, and wherein the first plurality of openings having thefirst size are larger than the second plurality of openings having thesecond size.
 5. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the thermalprofile further defines at least a third area of the body having a thirdthermal characteristic, and wherein the pattern of openings defines athird plurality of openings having a third size corresponding to thethird thermal characteristic.
 6. A garment according to claim 1, whereinthe thermal profile is determined based on the body of a wearer of thegarment such that the pattern of openings in the first fabric panel iscustom designed for the wearer.
 7. A garment according to claim 1,wherein interspersing of the first plurality of openings and the secondplurality of openings is based on the thermal profile of the body.
 8. Agarment according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of side ventedzones extending from an area proximate a respective arm opening of thegarment to an area proximate a waist opening of the garment, whereineach of the pair of side vented zones includes a plurality of side ventopenings that are separate from the first and second plurality ofopenings of the first fabric panel.
 9. A garment, comprising: a garmentstructure for at least a portion of an upper torso, wherein the garmentstructure includes at least a first fabric panel; and a pattern ofopenings formed in the first fabric panel of the garment structure,wherein the pattern of openings is defined based on a thermal profile ofa body, wherein the pattern of openings includes: a first plurality ofopenings of a first size provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to at least a portion of a wearer's spine; and a secondplurality of openings of a second size that is smaller than the firstsize provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to afirst area of the wearer's back laterally located on a first side of thewearer's back with respect to the wearer's spine; wherein the firstplurality of openings and the second plurality of openings areinterspersed throughout the first fabric panel such that at least oneopening of the first plurality of openings is positioned betweenopenings of the second plurality of openings and at least one opening ofthe second plurality of openings is positioned between openings of thefirst plurality of openings.
 10. A garment according to claim 9, whereinthe second plurality of openings includes openings corresponding to thefirst size and positioned on the first side of the wearer's backproximate the wearer's neck.
 11. A garment according to claim 9, whereinthe pattern of openings further includes a third plurality of openingscorresponding to the second size provided in a portion of the garmentstructure corresponding to a second area of the wearer's back laterallylocated on a second side of the wearer's back with respect to wearer'sspine that is opposite the first side of the wearer's back.
 12. Agarment according to claim 11, wherein the third plurality of openingsincludes openings corresponding to the first size and positioned on thesecond side of the wearer's back proximate the wearer's neck.
 13. Agarment according to claim 9, wherein the plural openings smaller thanthe first size located on the first side of the wearer's back includeplural openings of a second size, wherein the second size is smallerthan the first size, and plural openings of a third size or smaller,wherein the third size is smaller than the second size.
 14. A garmentaccording to claim 9, wherein interspersing of the openings of the firstsize and the second size is based on the thermal profile of the body.15. A garment according to claim 9, further comprising a pair of sidevented zones, which are separate from the plural openings, wherein eachof the side vented zones extends from proximate a respective arm openingto proximate a waist opening.
 16. A garment, comprising: a garmentstructure for at least a portion of an upper torso, wherein the garmentstructure includes at least a first fabric panel; and a pattern ofopenings formed through the first fabric panel of the garment structure,wherein the pattern of openings is defined based on a thermal profile ofa body, wherein the pattern of openings includes: plural openings of afirst size or larger provided in a portion of the garment structurecorresponding to at least a portion of a wearer's spine, plural openingssmaller than the first size provided in a portion of the garmentstructure corresponding to a first area of the wearer's back laterallylocated on a first side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine,plural openings smaller than the first size provided in a portion of thegarment structure corresponding to a second area of the wearer's backlaterally located on a second side of the wearer's back from thewearer's spine, plural openings of the first size or larger provided ina portion of the garment structure corresponding to a third area of thewearer's back laterally located on the first side of the wearer's backfrom the wearer's spine and proximate to the wearer's neck, and pluralopenings of the first size or larger provided in a portion of thegarment structure corresponding to a fourth area of the wearer's backlaterally located on the second side of the wearer's back from thewearer's spine and proximate to the wearer's neck; wherein the pluralopenings of the first size and the plural openings smaller than thefirst size are interspersed throughout the first fabric panel such thatat least one opening of the first size is positioned between pluralopenings smaller than the first size and at least one opening of theplural openings smaller than the first size is positioned between pluralopenings of the first size.
 17. A garment according to claim 16, whereinthe plural openings smaller than the first size provided in the portionof the garment structure corresponding to the first area of the wearer'sback includes plural openings of a second size smaller than the firstsize and plural openings of a third size or smaller, wherein the thirdsize is smaller than the second size.
 18. A garment according to claim17, wherein the plural openings smaller than the first size provided inthe portion of the garment structure corresponding to the second area ofthe wearer's back includes plural openings of the second size and pluralopenings of the third size or smaller.
 19. A garment according to claim16, wherein interspersing of the openings of the first size and thesecond size is based on the thermal profile of the body.
 20. A garmentaccording to claim 16, further comprising a pair of side vented zones,which are separate from the plural openings, wherein each of the sidevented zones extends from proximate a respective arm opening toproximate a waist opening.